If you have read my column “Working with Companies” you know that I believe all teachers need to work more closely with the companies that produce products we use to teach kids. To reinforce this concept with my intern this semester we designed a project to demonstrate this teacher/company synergy. In the past my classes have attended “Educational Days” at amusement parks and I wanted to expand and explore this idea further. I knew Six Flags- Georgia not only had Science Days but offered other Education Day options (4/27 & 5/4.) So I went to their web site and found the following information:

This information came from the website- http://www.sixflags.com/overGeorgia/Events/educationday.aspx

MATH AND SCIENCE DAYS
Using specific workbooks provided by Six Flags and developed by educators, this exclusive day at the park offers a unique twist to learning.

PHYSICS/PHYSICAL SCIENCE DAYS
Students and teachers can take advantage of having the park all to themselves, to explore the science behind the fun.

MARKETING EDUCATION DAY
Marketing classes have their day as well, which includes special sessions with park management to discuss how to market "fun."

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAY
Elementary schools receive materials specifically for their age group, to help facilitate the learning experience.

Plus, additional information packets explaining some of the ways teachers can best use this educational opportunity. I have been to amusement parks with my students in the past to explore Physics and Physical Science of the rides and wanted to update my information. So I asked some companies how my intern and I could get to Six Flag- Georgia to explore how to use probeware to gather more accurate data on the rides. PASCO Scientific answered my dreams (I was going to say “prayers” but it sounds like a little kid praying to ride roller coasters.) John Kenney of PASCO Scientific approved what we will call a “Science Teachers’ Road Trip” where we would go to Six Flags- Georgia and experiment with the new Xplorer GLX computer, sound, light and 3D acceleration sensors. We needed to find out what was the best way to safely carry the equipment and under what conditions the equipment functioned best. I then contacted Six Flags- Georgia because I did not want the fact we were carrying electronic equipment into the park to be a problem.

All Teachers- Do not carry any data collecting devices without notifying the park guest services 770-739-3400 in advance of your visit. This is a safety concern related to insuring the objects do not fall during a ride.

We tested the equipment on rail roller coasters, a carousel, bumper cars, and even the standard wooden roller coaster. Not to mention the fact that during the day we worked hard riding roller coasters in the pursuit of improved science education. We found the PASCO Xplorer GLX Pack was the best way to safely carry 3-4 sensors and the Xplorer GLX. The advantage of the GLX computer is the real time display of both data and graphs. This allowed for the immediate verification of data collected and provided an opportunity to discuss the data right after the ride. The data I collected was the combination of 3 axis acceleration and sound. This combination of sensors allowed me to see the relationship between acceleration and screaming on the ride. It was fun and the noise level almost always followed large acceleration values.

            I started out my teaching before amusement parks had science days and we used weights and protractors to try and measure acceleration. With the new lay down rides (Superman), the extreme turns (Georgia Scorcher) and higher-heights (Goliath!) the use of sensors and computers improves the educational experience. I have followed up with the suggestion that PASCO Scientific and Six Flags work on having this equipment available for teachers that bring students to the park. Teachers this allows you to take the world of science from the book and to a place kids love to play. Even if you do not use probeware or computers take advantage of the education ideas and days offered by Six Flags Amusement Parks!

A special thanks to:

John Kenney (PASCO Scientific)

Robbie Garnett (PASCO Scientific)

Christy Poore (Six Flags)

Keenan Arnold (our Six Flags guide!)